Share

St John’s College in Cawaci, Ovalau, Fiji has been hit by another cyclone, this time by Tropical Cyclone Keni.

Although the damage does not ap­pear as severe as tropical cyclone Winstonin 2016, it has affected 315 students.

The school’s principal, Alosio Saukuru, said they were in desperate need of funds to rebuild so that students could continue their classes normally.

The building that has lost its roof is an old one that was reconstructed after tropical cyclone Winston.

It consists of three Year 9 classrooms, a Year 10 classroom, three Year 12 classrooms and three staff rooms.

Saukuru said the students would now be accom­modated in a newly built classroom block. The building has not been opened officially.

He estimated damage to the building would be between $40,000 to $50,000. He is requesting assistance from relevant authorities.

“We are in need of 187 desks and 162 chairs for the students,” he added.

The damage occurred around 5 pm on Tuesday. “We are lucky that no student or teacher was injured at the time of the destruction,” said Saukuru.

He said that, despite the damage, they would go ahead with their end-of-term one examination.

St John’s ex-scholars representa­tive, Fiona Samuels Kamsoo, said students were safe and have not let the destructive winds of TC Keni affect them as they now concentrat­ed on their exams, which started today and would end next Tuesday.

“As a request by the school prin­cipal, Mr Saukuru, all official messages concerning St John’s College are to come only from the ex-scholars and PTFA. With the re­cent events and all sorts of posts on Facebook there has been some con­fusion,” she said.

Analysis and Comment

For most of my life, scripture has been a part of daily prayer, and yet there is something new every time I read it. This morning, John the Baptizer’s statement about Jesus as “The one who comes after me,” started a long journey of reflection. John, the wild prophet in the wilderness had always known Read more

No one wants to be the innkeeper in a Christmas pageant. You know the one, the door-slamming landlord who turned away Joseph and Mary before they became the Holy Family. Any other role is better that that one. Even wearing the scratchy sheep costume is better or being the rope pull on the flying angel—anything Read more

The hills around Salzburg are alive, we hear, “alive with the sound of music.” Young and old, the people sing and hum and strum. The water in the brooks laughs as it trips and falls downstream. Church chimes sigh with the breeze. This music, we also hear, has been sung for 1,000 years. Maybe. But Read more

As a cradle Catholic, I never thought I’d get a divorce, but I ended up with one earlier this year. Since we came to the decision, I’ve been dreading Christmas — the decorations, the Santa visits, the holiday cards. Christmas seemed all about perfect families and frameable moments, and this year I didn’t want any Read more

Get CathNews by Email

Search CathNews

Search for:

Comments

Jonathan GodfreyMore sloppy reporting on the fees-free policy...
Pity its opponents seem so set on ignoring that it applies to the entire tertiary sector, and means that those attending the Polytechs are getting a years free training instead of racking up the debt.
Another problem with the teacher's claims is that...

Bernadette AvisonWhen the priests, sing the Mass I cringe.
Sorry but I doubt that Jesus when consecrating his body and blood sang.
For me the priest when singing takes away something very precious and he becomes the main figure as in the lead actor in a stage performance.
The focus for me is the elevation "This...

KieranGood point Chris. I am in full support of what you say about such representation. Their voice needs to be heard in conjunction with those in the Church who are in positions to make changes and call to accountability.

DavidAs a lay person who, in the past, was asked to help deal with abuse within the church, because there were no protocols established, I can tell you I think Chris McLoughen has a valid point.
The church needs real reform to heal the abuse crisis. Catholics who have been spiritually hurt must have...